Please ask your principals and vice-principals to share this letter from Minister Beare with parents and caregivers of Kindergarten students regarding the introduction of early literacy screening this fall. More information is also available in this news release.
Further to this initiative, the Early Literacy Screening Tools Resource and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been updated to better support school districts in implementing mandatory early literacy screening in kindergarten (as a minimum) this school year. This includes enhanced clarity around ministry criteria. The ministry will update the FAQs and notify schools and districts via the Deputy Minister’s Bulletin as new information on screening becomes available.
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In addition, the first K–12 Literacy Supports Community of Practice (CoP) meeting will be held on October 2, 2025, from 9 am to 11 am. School districts are required to re-register their district’s lead for early literacy for the CoP to ensure an up-to-date participant list for the upcoming school year. School districts may also register one additional representative to support their districts’ participation, such as a director of instruction, primary teacher, French immersion teacher, etc., as a second participant. Participants can register through the K‒12 Literacy Supports CoP registration form. Please note that early literacy leads are required to participate in the K–12 Literacy Supports CoP, consistent with the terms of the Professional Learning Grants provided to school districts.
The K–12 Literacy Supports CoP is facilitated by the ministry to support districts with information and learning opportunities on various K–12 literacy topics. The CoP will also create space for collaboration, sharing of insights and discussion of literacy-related supports, challenges, opportunities and best practices between school districts.
School District Reporting Requirements
As part of the school district professional learning grants, districts are required to submit professional learning grant reports to literacy.supports@gov.bc.ca and K–12 literacy reports via the Framework for Enhanced Student Learning (FESL).
- Professional Learning Grant Reports
- School district literacy professional learning plans – due October 17, 2025
- First annual grant expenditure report – due June 30, 2026
- Second annual grant expenditure report (if all funds were not expended by June 30, 2026) – due July 15, 2027
- Expenditure report template will be sent to school districts
- K–12 Literacy Reports (FESL) – optional in 2025 and required in 2026 and 2027
- Submitted alongside Enhancing Student Learning Report/Interim Progress Report, due between June 30 and October 1 each year.
- Templates will be sent out to school districts prior to each reporting cycle
- Submitted alongside Enhancing Student Learning Report/Interim Progress Report, due between June 30 and October 1 each year.
Please email literacy.supports@gov.bc.ca for information or if you have questions.